Google bans 136 apps: Beware, your money is being stolen from you via your phone! Now, it is up to you to stop the hackers. Security experts at Zimperium have detailed another malware that has stolen millions of dollars from Android smartphone users across the globe.
The dangerous part is that these apps are probably on your phone and may well be stealing your money. Check the list of these apps found on Google Play Store and delete them immediately.
After a complaint was registered, action was taken and Google slapped a ban on all 136 apps. However, users must act fast too as Grifthorse Android Trojan is unique! Google banned apps list includes Handy Translator Pro, Heart Rate and Pulse Tracker, Geospot: GPS Location Tracker, iCare – Find Location, My Chat Translator
What makes Grifthorse Android Trojan unique? Security researchers at Zimperium zLabs recently discovered an aggressive mobile premium services campaign named Grifthorse Android Trojan that has targeted over 10 million Google Android users globally.
Researchers say that while ordinary online scams take advantage of phishing techniques, Grifthorse Android Trojan is unique in that it is hidden behind malicious Android applications acting as Trojans, which allows it to take advantage of user interactions for increased spread and infection.
What makes them even more special is that these malicious Android applications appear harmless when looking at the store description and requested permissions, “but this false sense of confidence changes when users get charged month over month for the premium service they get subscribed to without their knowledge and consent,” the security research firm wrote in a blog post.
A deep analysis of the Grifthorse Android Trojan suggests that the threat group has been running this campaign since November 2020.
And while these malicious applications were initially distributed via both Google Play Store and third-party application stores, they have been removed from the Play Store since Zimperium zLabs reported its findings to Google.
However, while Google Play Store may have banned these apps, that does not mean users GriftHorse malware-powered malicious apps are gone. They are still available on unsecured third-party app stores.
Even more troubling, they may be hidden inside some innocent apps that you may have downloaeded. That means you have to find them and delete them from your own phone.
What is Grifthorse Android Trojan and how does it work?
Zimperium zLabs explains that it poses a threat to all Android devices by functioning as a Trojan that subscribes unsuspecting users to paid services, charging a premium amounting to around 36 Euros per month.
The campaign has targeted millions of users from over 70 countries by serving selective malicious pages to users based on the geo-location of their IP address with the local language.
Upon infection, the victim is bombarded with alerts on the screen letting them know they had won a prize and needed to claim it immediately. These pop ups reappear no less than five times per hour until the application user successfully accepts the offer.
Upon accepting the invitation for the prize, the malware redirects the victim to a geo-specific webpage where they are asked to submit their phone numbers for verification.
But in reality, they are submitting their phone number to a premium SMS service that would start charging their phone bill over 30 Euros per month.
The victim does not immediately notice the impact of the theft, and the likelihood of it continuing for months before detection is high, with little to no recourse to get one’s money back.
“Overall, GriftHorse Android Trojan takes advantage of small screens, local trust, and misinformation to trick users into downloading and installing these Android Trojans, as well frustration or curiosity when accepting the fake free prize spammed into their notification screens,” Zimperium zLabs added in the blog post.
The security research firm has also provided a list of apps that you should avoid downloading in order to prevent yourself from being a part of this scam. You can check the entire list below.
Full List of Apps on Google Play Store apps banned by Google
App Name
Handy Translator Pro
Heart Rate and Pulse Tracker
Geospot: GPS Location Tracker
iCare – Find Location
My Chat Translator
Bus – Metrolis 2021
Free Translator Photo
Locker Tool
Fingerprint Changer
Call Recoder Pro
Instant Speech Translation
Racers Car Driver
Slime Simulator
Keyboard Themes
What’s Me Sticker
Amazing Video Editor
Safe Lock
Heart Rhythm
Smart Spot Locator
CutCut Pro
OFFRoaders – Survive
Phone Finder by Clapping
Bus Driving Simulator
Fingerprint Defender
Lifeel – scan and test
Launcher iOS 15
Idle Gun Tycoo\u202an\u202c
Scanner App Scan Docs & Notes
Chat Translator All Messengers
Hunt Contact
Icony
Horoscope : Fortune
Fitness Point
Qibla AR Pro
Heart Rate and Meal Tracker
Mine Easy Translator
PhoneControl Block Spam Calls
Parallax paper 3D
SnapLens – Photo Translator
Qibla Pass Direction
Caller-x
Clap
Photo Effect Pro
iConnected Tracker
Smart Call Recorder
Daily Horoscope & Life Palmestry
Qibla Compass (Kaaba Locator)
Prookie-Cartoon Photo Editor
Qibla Ultimate
Truck – RoudDrive Offroad
GPS Phone Tracker – Family Locator
Call Recorder iCall
PikCho Editor app
Street Cars: pro Racing
Cinema Hall: Free HD Movies
Live Wallpaper & Background
Intelligent Translator Pro
Face Analyzer
TrueCaller & TrueRecoder
iTranslator_ Text & Voice & Photo
Pulse App – Heart Rate Monitor
Video & Photo Recovery Manager 2
Быстрые кредиты 24\7
Fitness Trainer
ClipBuddy
Vector arts
Ludo Speak v2.0
Battery Live Wallpaper 4K
Heart Rate Pro Health Monitor
Locatoria – Find Location
GetContacter
Photo Lab
AR Phone Booster – Battery Saver
English Arabic Translator direct
VPN Zone – Fast & Easy Proxy
100% Projector for Mobile Phone
Forza H Mobile 4 Ultimate Edition
Amazing Sticky Slime Simulator ASMR\u200f
Clap To Find My Phone
Screen Mirroring TV Cast
Free Calls WorldWide
My Locator Plus
iSalam Qibla Compass
Language Translator-Easy&Fast
WiFi Unlock Password Pro X
Pony Video Chat-Live Stream
Zodiac : Hand
Ludo Game Classic
Loca – Find Location
Easy TV Show
Qibla correct Quran Coran Koran
Dating App – Sweet Meet
R Circle – Location Finder
TagsContact
Ela-Salaty: Muslim Prayer Times & Qibla Direction
Qibla Compass
Soul Scanner – Check Your
CIAO – Live Video Chat
Plant Camera Identifier
Color Call Changer
Squishy and Pop it
Keyboard: Virtual Projector App
Scanner Pro App: PDF Document
QR Reader Pro
FX Keyboard
You Frame
Call Record Pro
Free Islamic Stickers 2021
QR Code Reader – Barcode Scanner
Bag X-Ray 100% Scanner
Phone Caller Screen 2021
Translate It – Online App
Mobile Things Finder
Proof-Caller
Phone Search by Clap
Second Translate PRO
CallerID
3D Camera To Plan
Qibla Finder – Qibla Direction
Stickers Maker for WhatsApp
Qibla direction watch (compass)
Piano Bot Easy Lessons
CallHelp: Second Phone Number
FastPulse – Heart Rate Monitor
Caller ID & Spam Blocker
Free Coupons 2021
KFC Saudi – Get free delivery and 50% off coupons
Skycoach
HOO Live – Meet and Chat
Easy Bass Booster
Coupons & Gifts: InstaShop
FindContact
Launcher iOS for Android
Call Blocker-Spam Call Blocker
Call Blocker-Spam Call Blocker
Live Mobile Number Tracker
